DEFENCEWEB
Kenya has rededicated the patrol vessel KNS Shupavu after a local overhaul performed by Kenya Shipyards Ltd. at a new facility at Mombasa Shipyard at Mtongwe Naval Base.
The refurbishment began in November 2021 and, according to Kenya Shipyards Ltd., involved replacing major components such as engines, generators and other machinery, and upgrading the vessel’s electrical systems, navigational equipment and other onboard systems.
Workers painted the ship and renovated its living quarters. A new crane was added to launch and recover boats.
Mombasa Shipyard already had started work on the KNS Shupavu when the shipyard officially opened in December 2021. It was established with assistance from the Dutch defense and shipbuilding company Damen and includes a slip, two parking buildings and four workshops.
Kenya Shipyards said it worked closely with Damen and the Kenya Navy to ensure that the KNS Shupavu was correctly refurbished.
“The KNS Shupavu can now continue to serve the nation’s maritime interests for many more years, and this achievement paves the way for other naval vessels in the region to undergo similar refits in the future,” Kenya Shipyards Ltd. said.
The Shupavu’s sister ship, KNS Shujaa, was refurbished by Damen Shipyards in the Netherlands and returned home in July 2018. KNS Shujaa is one of two Shupavu-class large patrol boats built by Gondan shipyard in Spain. They were acquired in 1996 to replace older vessels and are armed with 76 mm and 30 mm guns.
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